How I miss the desert..not
 

Don't miss this at all......great pics though

sandstorm

From the caption to pic 5 "Experts say such storms are extremely rare in Iraq"... experts say all kinds of stuff, but I distinctly remember at least 2 just like this in W Iraq in 1991. Only ever saw one that bad in 3 whole years in Oman though, and none with that squall front in (urban) Q8 yet.

Sangio

Are you confusing this pic with the one when the Strawberry Candy Floss maker (operated by Wendy's on the American side), broke down in Oman in April 2002 ?

May I ask ... if these storms come up very quickly, and aircraft are outside and uncovered (thinking particularly rotary but interested in all types), how long does it take to get those aircraft back to flying standard once the storm has passed?

I would assume turbine engine covers would me a minimum for parked aircraft out there, but how long does it take to clean out rotor heads, etc?